Building upon the foundations laid by the 2019-2023 Master Plan, "Focused on Community," the Library is modernizing its facilities and is poised to deepen service connections to address pivotal challenges facing Wichita. This strategic agenda sets forth the path to achieve that vision.

The Library is in the process of completing a new strategic agenda which will shape the Library's technology needs for the next five to 10 years. This technology plan is designed as a bridge plan to guide the Library's technology efforts while the strategic agenda is designed, developed, and then implemented. This plan was adopted by the Library Board of Directors on February 20, 2024.

This report summarizes the goals, process and conclusions of the Master Plan for Branch Libraries developed for the City of Wichita and the Wichita Public Library. The plan replaces the Wichita Public Library System Master Plan adopted in 2006. It was adopted by the Library Board of Directors on May 21, 2019 and endorsed by the Wichita City Council on June 11, 2019.

The Advanced Learning Library opened on June 16, 2018 after several years of planning:

• New Wichita Central Library Charrette (2014)
• Libraries of the Future: Likely Roles and Implications for Facility Design (2012)
• Central Branch Library Expansion Study for the City of Wichita (2011)
• Partners for the Future: Public Libraries and Local Governments Creating Sustainable Communities (2010)
• Wichita Public Library System Master Plan (2007)

The Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) at the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs at Wichita State University conducted a review of Wichita's branch library system. PPMC was given the following tasks:

1. Engage stakeholders to identify issues and challenges in delivering services at branch libraries;
2. Review national standards and criteria in library services;
3. Conduct interviews, observations, and surveys;
4. Assess site usage, evaluate user profiles, analyze initial market impact, facilitate community engagement, and provide a foundation for future planning.

Data

PPMC and the Library worked with CIVICTechnologies to learn how library services are utilized by different parts of the community. Library staff participated in a workshop from November 17-18, 2016 to study the data and apply it to each library branch:

• Analytics Findings with Market Segments
• Explanation of Market Segments
• Staff Workshop
• Findings and Recommendations

Final Report

The findings of PPMC's study, including information from CIVICTechnologies, were released on April 25, 2017:

• Presentation to City Council
• Presentation Slides
• Full Report

Kansas Library Association Presentation

The branch study was presented at the Kansas Library Association's 2017 conference.